LESS to SCSS Converter

The LESS to SCSS Converter is a powerful online tool that allows you to convert LESS (Leaner Style Sheets) code to SCSS (Sassy CSS) syntax. Both LESS and SCSS are CSS preprocessors that extend CSS with variables, mixins, functions, and nested rules, making stylesheet development more efficient and maintainable. This converter helps developers migrate from LESS to SCSS or work with both preprocessors seamlessly.

What is LESS?

LESS is a CSS preprocessor that extends CSS with dynamic behavior such as variables, mixins, operations, and functions. LESS runs on both the client-side (in browsers) and server-side (with Node.js). It uses the @@ symbol for variables and supports nested rules, making CSS more maintainable and easier to write.

What is SCSS?

SCSS (Sassy CSS) is a CSS preprocessor and one of two syntaxes available in Sass (Syntactically Awesome Style Sheets). SCSS uses a syntax that is very similar to CSS, requiring semicolons and braces, making it easy for developers familiar with CSS to adopt. SCSS uses the $ symbol for variables and supports all Sass features including mixins, functions, and nested rules.

Key Differences Between LESS and SCSS

• Variables: LESS uses @variable while SCSS uses $variable
• Mixins: LESS uses .mixin() syntax while SCSS uses @mixin mixin() for definitions and @include mixin() for calls
• Semicolons: Both require semicolons
• Braces: Both require braces {}
• Nested Rules: Both support nesting with similar syntax
• Functions: Both support functions, with many similar built-in functions
• Directives: LESS uses @media, @import, etc., while SCSS uses the same syntax

How to Use the LESS to SCSS Converter

1. Input LESS Code: Paste or type your LESS code into the input field on the left side
2. Auto Conversion: The conversion happens automatically as you type
3. Review Output: The converted SCSS code will appear in the output field on the right
4. Copy or Download: Use the copy button or download the converted SCSS file

Conversion Features

Our converter handles the following conversions automatically:

• Variable Conversion: Converts @variable to $variable
• Mixin Conversion: Transforms LESS mixin definitions .mixin() to SCSS @mixin mixin() and calls .mixin() to @include mixin()
• Directive Preservation: Preserves LESS directives like @media, @import, @keyframes, etc.
• Function Conversion: Converts LESS functions to their SCSS equivalents where applicable
• Nested Rules: Preserves nested rule structure as both use similar syntax
• Parameter Handling: Converts mixin parameters from LESS to SCSS format

Example Conversion

Here's an example of how LESS code is converted to SCSS:

LESS Input:

@primary-color: #3498db;
@font-size-base: 16px;

.border-radius(@radius: 5px) {
  border-radius: @radius;
}

.button {
  .border-radius(10px);
  background-color: @primary-color;
  font-size: @font-size-base;
  &:hover {
    background-color: darken(@primary-color, 10%);
  }
}

SCSS Output:

$primary-color: #3498db;
$font-size-base: 16px;

@mixin border-radius($radius: 5px) {
  border-radius: $radius;
}

.button {
  @include border-radius(10px);
  background-color: $primary-color;
  font-size: $font-size-base;
  &:hover {
    background-color: darken($primary-color, 10%);
  }
}

Best Practices

• Review the Output: Always review the converted code as some complex LESS features may need manual adjustment
• Test Thoroughly: After conversion, test your SCSS code to ensure it compiles correctly
• Handle Edge Cases: Some LESS-specific features may require manual conversion or alternative approaches in SCSS
• Check Mixin Calls: Verify that mixin calls are correctly converted, especially in complex nested structures
• Validate Variables: Ensure all variable references are properly converted from @ to $

Use Cases

• Migration Projects: Migrating existing LESS codebases to SCSS
• Multi-Preprocessor Support: Working with projects that use both LESS and SCSS
• Learning Tool: Understanding the differences between LESS and SCSS syntax
• Code Conversion: Converting LESS snippets to SCSS for compatibility
• Framework Migration: Moving from LESS-based frameworks (like Bootstrap 3) to SCSS-based ones (like Bootstrap 4+)

Common Conversion Patterns

Variables

LESS and SCSS use different symbols for variables:

• LESS: @primary-color: #3498db;
• SCSS: $primary-color: #3498db;

Mixins

Mixins have different syntax in LESS and SCSS:

• LESS Definition: .mixin(@param: value) { ... }
• SCSS Definition: @mixin mixin($param: value) { ... }
• LESS Call: .mixin(value);
• SCSS Call: @include mixin(value);

Functions

Many functions are similar in both preprocessors:

• Color Functions: darken(), lighten(), saturate() work the same
• Math Functions: percentage(), round(), ceil() work similarly
• String Functions: Some string manipulation functions may differ

Limitations and Considerations

• Complex Mixins: Very complex mixin patterns may need manual review
• LESS-Specific Features: Some LESS-specific features like guards or pattern matching may not have direct SCSS equivalents
• Import Paths: Import statements are preserved but may need path adjustments
• Third-Party Libraries: LESS-specific libraries won't work with SCSS and need alternatives